If there was ever any doubt Philadelphia Phillies lefty Cliff Lee can still pitch, and he can hit a little too. On Monday night against the Miami Marlins, Lee had three hits, knocked in a career-high four runs and struck out a season-high 14 to lead the Philadelphia Phillies to a 12-2 win.
In doing so Lee became just the second pitcher in baseball history to strike out 14 and drive in four since Dwight Gooden did it for the Mets on May 11, 1990 with 15 strikeouts.
A two run bases loaded single in the third inning was followed by his first career triple in the fifth.
On the mound Lee was dominant allowing two runs while scattering eight hits and walking none, at one point retiring 11 straight en route to winning his fourth consecutive decision.
“Just being ahead in the count, pounding the strike zone, I had a lot of two strike counts,” Lee said. “I’m really not trying to strike guys out in that situation to be honest with you. I’m just continuing to try to throw strikes, and that’s what happens when you throw strikes.”
The Marlins likely don’t want to see Lee again.
Lee is 4-0 with a 2.05 ERA in his last six starts and 5-1 with a 2.29 lifetime ERA against Miami. He’s also a career .391 hitter against the Marlins.
Christian Yelich, Giancarlo Stanton and Jeff Mathis each struck out three times for Miami.
